Chapter 8 — The Return of Daniel Cross
The man standing in the doorway looked nothing like the person Claire remembered.
Fifteen years had changed him.
The charming smile was gone.
The warmth in his eyes had disappeared.
Only confidence remained.
And something darker.
Daniel Cross stepped into the library.
Security guards raised their weapons.
Alex lifted one hand.
"Nobody moves."
His eyes never left Daniel.
"You broke into my home."
Daniel smiled.
"Your home?"
He looked around.
"No, Alex."
"This house was built on lies long before you were born."
Claire stood behind Alex.
Her voice shook.
"Why are you here?"
Daniel looked at her.
Almost sadly.
"I came back because you forgot something."
"I forgot nothing."
Daniel smiled.
"Everyone forgets something."
He reached into his coat.
The guards immediately reacted.
But Daniel slowly pulled out a small envelope.
And placed it on the table.
"Your final letter."
Claire stared.
"What?"
"The letter you wrote before you disappeared."
Her face changed.
"I never wrote that."
Daniel's smile widened.
"Exactly."
Alex looked confused.
"What is he talking about?"
Daniel turned toward him.
"Your wife wasn't running from me."
A pause.
"She was running from your family."
Claire's eyes widened.
"Stop."
Daniel ignored her.
"Ask your father what happened the night Claire changed her name."
Alex looked at Richard.
The older man looked away.
And that was enough.
Alex felt something break inside.
Another secret.
Another lie.
"Claire."
She looked at him.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I wanted to tell you."
"But you didn't."
"No."
Her voice cracked.
"Because I was afraid."
Daniel laughed quietly.
"Afraid of what?"
Claire looked at him.
"That you would never believe me."
Daniel stepped closer.
"She was right."
Alex's expression hardened.
"No."
He looked directly at Daniel.
"You don't get to come into my house and rewrite my marriage."
For the first time, Daniel's smile disappeared.
Then he said something that made everyone freeze.
"Then ask her why she was carrying your mother's blood on her hands the night she vanished."
Claire went completely still.
Alex turned.
"Claire?"
She couldn't answer.
Because the secret she had hidden for fifteen years...
May you like
Was finally standing in front of her.
And Alex was about to hear everything.
